Over 40 Skincare Routine: My Favorite Products

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A good cleanser, daily SPF and a few favorites I love. That is where my over 40 skincare routine starts. ORPHEUS Resurrection Serum Slip Cleanser is one of those favorites. The travel size is the size available to shop right now. So are my ELEMIS pads and DRMTLGY Luminous Eye Corrector. And ZIIP? My daughter and I both love it.

Below, you will find my personal favorites, plus more products to browse by category. I have marked the ones I use. The list includes both my favorites and other formulas from brands I like. This is a shopping guide, not a recommendation to use everything together.

Sleep, lifting, supplements and hair are in my Over 40 healthy living routine.

Shop the full collection of my over-40 skincare routine

goop Beauty Cloudberry Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser

The foamless jelly formula uses fruit enzymes and bitter-orange-peel exfoliants, with squalane among the ingredients. It is the cleanser to consider when you want a little exfoliation in that step, rather than adding another separate treatment. Follow the directions and avoid piling on exfoliating products just to build a more elaborate routine. goop Beauty Cloudberry Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser.

Cleansers for an Over-40 Skincare Routine

First, the cleanser. I love ORPHEUS. Pick the one that fits your routine.

• ORPHEUS Resurrection Serum Slip Cleanser – I love this cleanser. Its serum-like texture turns into a soft micro-foam.
• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser – A hydrating cleanser to browse. I like La Roche-Posay; this formula is a hydrating option from the brand.

Vitamin C Serums to Browse

Looking for a vitamin C serum? These are three options to browse, rather than products from my own routine.

• Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum – A serum combining vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid.
• Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe – A vitamin C serum with a nourishing, oil-based texture.
• SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic – A serum with 15% L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E and ferulic acid.

Rodan + Fields Active Hydration Serum

A hydration serum to browse if your skin runs dry. Compare it with your current serum and use one rather than stacking both. Follow the label directions, and keep sunscreen in the daytime routine. Rodan + Fields Active Hydration Serum

goop Beauty Youth-Boost Peptide Serum

A serum is a more considered purchase than a quick lip color. This formula combines peptides with ingredients including niacinamide, ceramides and safflower oleosomes. Read the full ingredient list and directions, especially if your skin is sensitive or you already use active treatments. Add it because it fits your routine, not because the whole shelf looks inviting. goop Beauty Youth-Boost Peptide Serum.

Retinol and Retinal Options for Night

For night, keep it simple: choose one vitamin A product, not both. Read the directions and ask a dermatologist about the right strength and frequency for your skin.

• Medik8 Crystal Retinal – A retinal serum range with several strengths. Choose the strength for your own experience rather than copying someone else.
• SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 – A face cream containing 0.3% retinol.

Face Moisturizers and Balms

I also use La Roche-Posay. Below are balm and cream options to browse, depending on the texture you like.

• La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5+ – A balm option for dry skin. One to browse from a brand I use.
• Tata Harper Repairative Moisturizer – A hydrating moisturizer with a rich, creamy texture.
• SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 – A richer cream with ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids.

goop Beauty Youth-Boost NAD+ Peptide Rich Cream

goop sent this rich cream as a gift. The formula includes plant-derived peptides and illipe butter, in a buttery moisturizer texture. Compare it with your favorite moisturizer if you want a richer texture. goop Beauty Youth-Boost NAD+ Peptide Rich Cream

For a richer, fragrance-free option, Dieux Instant Angel lipid-rich moisturizer combines peptides, ceramides and lipids in a cream made to sit well under makeup. A useful one to compare if you prefer a cream to a light lotion. This is an additional find, not a product from my own routine. Buy it here.

Facial Moisturizers With SPF and Tinted Sunscreen

CeraVe SPF 50 and Torriden DIVE-IN Mild Suncream are products I use. My face sunscreen is an EltaMD tinted formula. EltaMD UV Daily is another tinted option to consider.

• CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 50 – I use this facial moisturizing lotion, which combines moisturizer and broad-spectrum SPF 50.
• Torriden DIVE-IN Mild Suncream SPF50+ PA++++ – I also use Torriden DIVE-IN Mild Suncream. This is the Mild version, not the DIVE-IN moisturizer.
• EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 – I use an EltaMD tinted sunscreen on my face. UV Daily Tinted SPF 40 is a tinted option from the brand.

Eye Creams and a Tinted Eye Corrector With SPF

My daily pick is DRMTLGY Luminous Eye Corrector SPF 41. I use it with sunscreen on the rest of my face. The other two products offer different eye-cream textures.

• DRMTLGY Luminous Eye Corrector SPF 41 – I use Luminous Eye Corrector SPF 41 daily alongside my face sunscreen. It is a tinted eye corrector, not a replacement for face SPF. The linked page opens in Fair; choose your own shade.
• DRMTLGY Advanced Eye Cream – An eye cream with peptides and ceramides. This is an additional option, not my Luminous Eye Corrector.
• SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye – An eye cream option from SkinCeuticals.
• Rodan + Fields REDEFINE Multi-Function Eye Cream – An eye cream to browse from the REDEFINE line. Compare the texture and directions with your current eye cream before switching.

Facial Exfoliating Polish, Pads and Liquid Exfoliant

I love ZO Exfoliating Polish and also use the ELEMIS pads. These are different exfoliating options, not a daily three-product sequence. The ORPHEUS cleanser also has an exfoliating component. Ask a dermatologist how to fit exfoliation and retinoids into your routine without overdoing it.

• ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish – I love this face polish with ultra-fine magnesium crystals. It is an exfoliating polish, not a cleanser. The brand directs US purchases through its clinical-professional network.
• ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads – I also use these exfoliating facial pads with lactic acid.
• Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – A leave-on exfoliant with 2% salicylic acid. It is an alternative to consider, not another step to pile onto every exfoliator.

goop Beauty Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator

goop sent its Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator as a gift, and I used it in the shower. It was actually very good, and I enjoyed it. The formula combines mineral exfoliants with glycolic acid. Keep it as an alternative to the polish, pads and liquid exfoliant above, not another step to layer with all of them. Follow the label and ask your dermatologist about exfoliation if your skin is sensitive or you use retinoids. goop Beauty Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator

For another exfoliating option, Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Clearing Serum uses 8% mandelic acid with hyaluronic acid and panthenol. Think of it as an alternative to the exfoliators above, not another layer to add to all of them. Follow the label and ask your dermatologist how it fits with any retinoids or other treatments. An additional option to compare with the favorites above. Buy it here.

Body Lotion and Neck Cream

Do not forget the body and neck. These are two more options to browse, not products from my own routine.

• DRMTLGY Advanced Neck Cream – A peptide- and ceramide-rich cream made for the neck and décolletage.
• Naturium Bio-Lipid Restoring Body Lotion – A body lotion option for soft, comfortable skin.

A good body lotion belongs in the edit, too. Nécessaire The Body Lotion in Santal is a pump-bottle lotion with niacinamide, plant oils and peptides, scented with sandalwood, black pepper, iris and jasmine. The link opens the Santal version, rather than fragrance-free. Another body-care option to browse alongside the lotion above. Buy it here.

goop Beauty Nourishing Repair Body Butter

This rich body butter belongs beside the shower, not forgotten at the back of the beauty drawer. The formula includes bacuri, cupuaçu and shea butters, with a subtle citrus scent. It is the body-care option for someone who prefers a richer cream. Check ingredients if you are sensitive to fragrance or botanical ingredients. goop Beauty Nourishing Repair Body Butter.

Tower 28, ZIIP and Westman Atelier

A few more favorites: Tower 28, Westman Atelier and ZIIP. I use these brands and the device. Choose the formulas and shades that fit your own routine.

• Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray – I use Tower 28. This hypochlorous-acid spray is another option from the brand.
• ZIIP HALO – My daughter and I both use ZIIP, and we love it. HALO is a microcurrent device from the brand. Follow the device instructions and safety guidance.
• Westman Atelier complexion range – I use Westman Atelier too. Browse the complexion range and choose your own product and shade. This link opens the range, not a specific product.

Gifted Skincare and Body-Care Options

Rodan + Fields Total RF Serum

Rodan + Fields is gifting its Total RF Serum to me. The brand calls it its most comprehensive anti-aging formula, built to leave skin stronger, healthier and more resilient. One serum to slot into the routine above rather than another layer to stack. Follow the label directions and keep sunscreen in the daytime routine.

Shop Rodan + Fields Total RF Serum

Elm Biosciences A3O Elemental Night Cream

Elm Biosciences sent this 50 ml night cream as a gift. The formula combines a retinoid derivative, ectoin and carnosine in a medium-weight cream with no added fragrance. Consider it an alternative to the retinoids above, not another layer to stack with them. Follow the label, start gradually if new to retinoids, and use daytime sunscreen. The brand advises avoiding it during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless your healthcare provider approves.

Two more body-care options. Uni sent its 24-Hour Body Serum as a gift, and Remedy Skin sent Remedy for Dark Spots as a gift. Choose the texture and product directions that fit your routine.

Uni 24-Hour Body Serum is a body-care option for after a shower. The brand directs you to massage one to three pumps into the skin. Compare the refill and pump choices before ordering. Shop Uni 24-Hour Body Serum.

Remedy for Dark Spots is an active facial serum that includes retinol. Treat it as an alternative to consider with your dermatologist, not another product to stack on top of every retinol and exfoliant in this guide. Read the current ingredient list, directions and warnings, and keep sunscreen in your daytime routine. Shop Remedy for Dark Spots.

goop Beauty Hydra-Barrier Gel Gloss in Blossom

Blossom is the sheer petal-pink shade I would put in the small bag with a cream sweater or navy outfit. The gel gloss brings shine and a soft wash of color, with a grapefruit scent. It is an easy beauty addition when you want something lighter than a full lipstick look. Choose your own shade on the product page. goop Beauty Hydra-Barrier Gel Gloss in Blossom.

A Simple Over-40 Skincare Routine

Start with cleansing, moisturizer and sunscreen. Add an active ingredient only when it fits your skin and the product directions. This shopping guide is not a calendar for using every active ingredient at once.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Choose a formula that fits your day and follow the label for application and reapplication. AAD: How to select a sunscreen.

This is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a dermatologist or other healthcare professional about your skin before adding active ingredients, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or have a skin condition. Read each product label and device safety guidance. Individual results vary.

For a straightforward day-and-night pair, browse the CeraVe PM moisturizer and AM SPF 50 moisturizer set. Read each label for use and sunscreen directions; choose the routine that fits your skin rather than layering every product in this guide.

My Everyday Skincare Routine, Morning and Night

A few of you have asked what I actually use on my own skin, so here it is, the whole routine. It took a while to get right, and two steps are prescriptions from my dermatologist, so please ask your own doctor before trying anything like them. What works for my skin may not be right for yours.

In the Morning

1. Cleanse. Just water or a very gentle cleanser. My skin does better when I do not over-wash it.

2. Antioxidant serum. First thing on clean skin is the Skinbetter Alto Advanced serum. It is my daily vitamin C step, and it plays well with everything I layer on top.

3. My hormonal cream. I layer a compounded estradiol cream right over it. That one came from my doctor, so bring it up with yours if you are curious.

4. A little BHA, some days. Two or three mornings a week I tap the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA liquid exfoliant on my nose and chin only, where blackheads collect. The rest of the week I skip it completely.

5. Moisturizer. The Skinbetter Trio moisture treatment goes on over everything, and my skin stays comfortable all day.

6. Sunscreen. The non-negotiable step. My SPF favorites are in the sunscreen section of this post.

At Night

1. Cleanse. A proper cleanse to take the day off.

2. Tretinoin nights. Three or four nights a week I use prescription tretinoin on completely dry skin. Again, a doctor step, not a shopping step.

3. Break nights. The other nights I use Skinbetter AlphaRet instead. It is the gentler option, so my skin gets a rest without losing the habit.

4. Dark spots, when I am being diligent. A pat of Skinbetter Even Intensive serum on a few stubborn spots.

5. Night cream, always last. The goop NAD+ night cream goes on over everything, and I wake up with skin that still feels moisturized.

A Firming Moisturizer to Know

If you want a rich moisturizer in your routine, the Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer is one to look at. Check the ingredient list and patch test first, and ask a dermatologist if you have concerns.

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